Pacific falls to VCU 4-2

Sep 6, 2013

Pacific field hockey fell to Virgina Commonwealth University 4-2 Friday afternoon at Varsity Hockey Turf on the campus of Stanford University. The Tigers were unable to stop a second half scoring spree by VCU, who scored three unanswered goals in the second half after Pacific went ahead 2-1 early in the second period.

The scoring got started early in the first period, as VCU's Kelsey Powell found the back of the net on a rebound from a shot that went off the post. VCU retained a 1-0 advantage until seconds before halftime. Freshman Nicole Laskosky took a strong pass from freshman Kyleigh Morrison and powered it towards the far post and past Rams goalkeeper Megan Botteri. Laskosky and Morrison both recorded the first points of their young college careers on the play.

Four minutes into the second period, Pacific took a 2-1 lead when senior Melissa Maultsby scored her first goal of the season off a centering pass by senior Emily Tregoning.

VCU would regain momentum after they were awarded a penalty corner ten minutes into the second period. Stephanie DeMasi fed the ball in to Kayla Mueller, who scored to level the score at 2-2.

The Rams would take a 3-2 lead less than three minutes later as Emile Soares passed to Krystal Mayers, who tapped it in towards the right post. VCU would add a late goal by Alexis Schramm to take a 4-2 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Orange and Black had 11 shots for the contest, including six on goal. Maultsby and Tregoning lead the Tigers in shots with three and two, respectively.

Sophomore Maggie Corder made her first start in goal this season, making four saves. After Corder left for an extra field player with 9:23 left in the second period, redshirt sophomore Erica Gordon and sophomore Kirsten Doting contributed defensive saves to stifle the VCU attack.

Coach Andy Smith was happy with the progress that Pacific has made so far in the early part of their schedule.

"I thought today was a huge step forward for us with the level of energy and level of effort we showed. I'm happy with the way we played, not happy with the result, but there's more to come from us and we'll be ready to get after it again on Sunday."

Pacific will look to get their first victory of the season Sunday. The Tigers will be back in Palo Alto, Calif. and the campus of Stanford as they face #20 New Hampshire at 11am to wrap up the weekend's slate.